Shoe support



'Aug- I F. H; TOMLIYN I 2,479,187

SHOE SUPPORT.

Filed Feb. 7, 1945 I N VEN TOR.-

WITNESSES 412:! f! Tom/I'll r I Eh/201$ 0 cm? Patented Aug. 16, 1949 SHOE SUBEQRTQ V I Francis H. Tomlin, HaddonfildiNi J? Application February '7, 1945, Serial No. 576,688

This invention relates to shoe supports, that is to say, to devices for supporting shoes in such a manner that their original shape is restored and maintained during periods of non-use.

The chief aim of my invention is to provide a device of the sort referred to which is simple in construction; capable of expeditious production in quantity at relatively small cost; with which the shoes are readily and quickly engageable and from which they can as readily be removed; and which can be relied upon to maintain the shoes in a stretched condition without imposition of strains likely to result in opening of the seams in them or in causing any other permanent injuries to them.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a support for individual mens shoes conveniently embodying my invention in one form and showing how the shoe is held in place thereon.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the support alone.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1 of my improved support suitably modified for supporting individual ladies shoes. 7

Referring first more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the shoe support there illustrated comprises a flat rectangular pad I6 which may be of wood and which serves as a rest forthe sole of the supported shoe, with the shoe toe and heel projecting therebeyond. At one end of the pad I is a yoke-like element II which in practice may be fashioned from a single length of relatively stout wire with laterally-disposed spring loops at I2 and with the ends of the wire bent to provide straight segments I3 for longitudinally con tacting the opposite side edges of the pad Iil and inwardly directed terminal lugs I l for engaging transversely-aligned holes IS in said side edges. The element II is secured and at the same time prevented from pivoting by means of staples I6 which are driven into the side edges of the pad I0 beyond the holes I and over the segments I3 of the wire. As shown, the element 1 I is rounded for substantially snug fitment about the toe end of the shoe withinthe crevice between the upper and the sole.

Cooperative with the element I I in holding the shoe in place in the holder is a bail-like element II which may likewise be formed from a single length of relatively stout wire whereof the ends are bent inwardly as at I8 to serve as trunnions for selective pivotal engagement within the seri 4 Claims. (Cl. 12129.1)

ally arranged holes I9 in the opposite side edges of the pad II]. As a consequence of this construction, it is possible to adapt the holder for supporting shoes of different sizes.

In the use of the holder, the toe of the shoe is first engaged with the element II and pressed forward slightly, whereupon the element I? is swung upward to engage about the back of the shoe as illustrated in Fig. 1. In order to preclude slippage of the element II in operative position, its rounded portion is flattened as at 20 to engage in the crevice between the heel and the shoe upper also as shown in Fig. 1. It is to be particularly noted that the element I'I assumes an acute angular position with respect to the pad II! when in operative position whereby the shoe is pressed forwardly and downwardly in opposition to the spring resistance of the element I I and effectively held against accidental dislodgment with the sole thereof slightly strained toward the pad and the upper thereof slightly tensioned. As a consequence the holder serves to maintain the shoe in its original condition by keeping the sole fiat and the upper smooth and devoid of wrinkles.

My improved holder of Fig. 3 for individual ladies shoes differs from the first described embodiment in that its yoke-like element Ila is provided with a strap 2I to engage over the top of the shoe toe, and further in that the bail-like element I'Ia is bowed (as viewed from the side) whereby the heel portion of the shoe upper is contacted at opposite sides as shown instead of at the center of the back. In order to obviate repetitive description all other elements in the modification not specifically referred to but having their counterparts in the first embodiment, are identified by the same referencenumerals, with addition in each instance of the letter a, however, for convenience of ready distinction,

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. A shoe support including a flat pad to serve as a rest for the mid portion of the shoe sole across the width thereof, with the shoe toe and heel projecting beyond opposite ends of the pad; a yoke-like element of stout spring wire with the ends of its extremities fixedly anchored at oppo- Site sides of the pad, said element having lateral spring loops. adjacent its anchorages and having a curved mid portion to engage around the front and sides of the shoe toe in the crevice between the upper and the sole and a bail-like element also of stout wire with its ends pivotally connected to the pad and having a curved mid portion for engaging around the shoe at the back and the sides of the heel, said bail-like element opposing the spring action or the yoke element in holding the shoe in place on the pad.

2. A shoe support according to claim 1, in which the bail-like element has inwardly directed pivotal end portions selectively engageable in serially arranged apertures al 'ong the side edges of the pad for adaptation of the support to shoes of difierent sizes.

3. A shoe support according to claim 1, in which the pad is flat, and in which thebail-like element is pivoted. to th pad so as to extend upward at an acute angle thereto when in operative position.

4. A shoe support according to claim 1, in iwhich REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS the toe engaging element has a transverse strap 5 portion to extend over the top of the toe..

FRANCIS H. TOMI.1H I.,, 

